Sinker and divider loop pattern control in full-fashioned knitting



Get. 26, 1954 HOWIE 2,692,487

DIVIDER LOOP PATTERN CONTROL SINKER AND IN FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING Filed May 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l a; .54 L 5L 04 INVENTOR //v/v77/ an u '1!!! BY aw ATTORNEY5 1954 K. HOWlE 2,692,487

SINKER AND DIVIDER LOOP PATTERN CONTROL IN FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING Filed May 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR /fE/VA/E77///0W/,

ATTORNEY-S Patented Get. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES PAT ()FFICE SINKER AND DIVIDER LOOP PATTERN CON- TROL IN FULL-FASHIONED KNETTING Kenneth Howie, Norristown, Pa, assignor to Wildman Mfg. 00., Norristown, Pa., 3, corporation of Pennsylvania 11 Claims.

This invention relates to knitting and knitting machines and particularly, though not exclusively, to fine gauge full-fashioned knitting with machines of the Cotton type.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a method and means for controlling the sinker and divider loop pattern in full fashioned knitting, and particularly in fine gauge full fashioned knitting of stockings with single filament yarn, such as nylon or like single filament yarns.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident by the following description of illustrative embodiments thereof. The invention resides in the novel features, steps and combinations herein described with reference to illustrative embodiments, and its scope is defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application which are somewhat exaggerated for clarity:

Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the effect of conventional sinkering and dividing operations on certain yarns, such as single filament nylon, for example.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the sinker and divider loop pattern produced thereby.

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing modes of loop pattern control in accordance with the present invention.

Figs. 6 and '7 are diagrams of equalized and accentuated sinker and divider loop patterns produceable by the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a partial diagrammatic side view showing an arrangement of sinkers, dividers and catch bars in stitch measuring position. according to the invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views illustrating modes of operating the sinker and divider catch bars respectively.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a modified catch bar arrangement.

In the conventional operation of Cotton type knitting machines, as shown in Fig. 1, the yarn Y is laid in front of the needles N by the yarn carrier (not shown) and the sinkers S are advanced sequentially by the slur cock (SC, Fig. 8 thus forming sinker loops SL between alternate needles N.

Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 2, the dividers D are advanced as a group against the yarn bridging the intervening needle spaces, the needles N simultaneously dropping back somewhat, and the sinker loops SL are thus reduced in depth, as the slack yarn thus freed is formed into divider loops DL.

In the conventional machines mentioned, at the end of the dividing operation, the divider notches are exactly aligned with the sinker notches as shown at L, Fig. 2. This is supposed to produce identical sinker and divider loops. However, with certain yarns it is found that despite the accurate alignment of the sinker and divider notches, in the finished fabric the sinker loops, on the one hand, and the divider loops, on the other, present markedly different appearance. This effect, represented in Fig. 3, becomes particularly evident in the case of single filament yarns such as nylon and the like.

It now appears that such yarns, particularly when applied to fine gauge work such as the knitting of 54 gauge hosiery, tend, when sinkered, to take a semi-permanent set about the needles N, producing a bend in the yarn that does not straighten out promptly. This bend or set SPB, as shown in Fig. 2, is then drawn into the divider loop DL from each side, as the yarn is divided.

In the conventional machines, in which a single catch bar engages the sinkers as well as the dividers in the advanced position thereof, attempts have been made to offset this pattern irregularity by using dividers of somewhat increased length measured to their yarn notches, so that in the fixed positions of alignment thereof, when the sinkers and dividers are locked infixed relation to each other by the common catch bar, the divider notches are advanced beyond the sinker notches by a fixed amount, say 0.007 inch, determined by the fixed difierence in length. But while this provision may remedy the irregularities somewhat when employing a given yarn, such irregularities frequently again occur when the yarn employed is changed.

The present invention, taking cognizance of the insufiiciency of this method of attempted compensation, provides for independently controlling the travel of the sinkers and dividers so that the yarn notches of the sinkers and the yarn notches of the dividers may be misaligned with one another in varying degree, in the stitch measuring position thereof, to either compensate for the foregoing effect, which is objectionable when present in minor degree, or to accentuate it sufiiciently to impart to the fabric a definite and clearly intentional pattern effect. Furthermore, in its preferred aspects, the invention provides for adjusting the degree of misalignment to produce the desired result when operating on yarns having different degrees of set retentivity.

As above mentioned, conventional flat-knitting machines of the Cotton type employ a single catch bar which retracts all the sinkers and dividers, then rises to allow slurring-forward of the sinkers, then moves forward to advance the dividers to align their yarn notches with the sinker notches, and then drops to recapture the sinkerbutts so that the sinkers and dividers may again be retracted as a unit. In such machines the travel of the sinkers and dividers is thus predetermined and fixed and is not subject to any independent adjustment at all.

In my earlier Patent No. 2,436,171, dated February 17, 1948, and in my copending application Serial No. 55,700, filed October 21, 1948, now Patent No. 2,647,382; improvements are disclosed in which two catch bars are employed, one for retracting the sinkers, and the other for advancing and retracting the dividers. While constituting first steps, or points of departure, for the present improvements, the arrangements there disclosed do not, without modification in accordance with the present invention, provide for misalignment of the sinker and divider notches in their stitch measuring positions, or indicate the desirability, in using such devices, of departing from the standard procedure of a fixed relation of alignment between the sinker and divider notches in their stitch measuring positions, or that there would be any utility in effecting such departure.

Thus, going beyond the aforesaid disclosures, the present invention, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, contemplates that in their stitch measuring positions, the yarn notches of the sinkers S lie in one adjustable position of alignment LS, with the yarn notches of the dividers brought to a dinerent adjustable position of alignment LD, not coinciding with the line LS.

By advancing the divider notches, in stitch measuring position, to a slightly greater extent than the sinker notches, as indicated in Fig. 5, the yarn in the divider loops BL is stressed sufficiently to remove the set therefrom, and if this effect is adjusted accurately to suit the particular yarn being used it is possible to obtain a nearly exactly similar appearance of the sinker and divider loops SL and DL, irrespective of the nature of the yarn employed, as indicated in Fig. 6.

Conversely, by advancing the dividers to a slightly lesser extent than the sinkers, as indicated in exaggerated fashion in Fig. 4, the length of yarn in the divider loops DL may be shortened, as compared to the condition shown in Fig. 2, and a definite and clearly intended pattern effect may be produced, as exemplified in Fig. 7.

On embodiment of means for carrying out the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10. Referring to Fig. 8, the sinkers S and dividers D (the latter shown in dotted lines to avoid confusion) are shown extended between the needles N in a stitch measuring position corresponding to that of Fig. 4. In this position the sinkers S abut the verge plate V, herein shown as carried by the sinker head H, though any other arrangement of verge plate may be used. Any usual or special form of sinker latches (not shown) may be employed to retain the sinkers in this abutting relation to which they may be advanced by suitable means, as conventional sinker jacks J operated by a conventional slur cock SC, which means are indicated in Fig. 8 of this specification and more fully illustrated in Fig. of Howie Patent No. 1,982,971, dated December 4, 1934. Sinkers S and dividers D of the conventional long-nosed variety are illustrated, it being understood that sinkers and dividers of other conventional or special form may be employed. The yarn notches of the sinkers and dividers, SN and DN, respectively, in their stitch measuring positions shown, are not aligned with each other, but instead are aligned at different depths relative to the needles N, the divider notches DN being advanced to a lesser depth than the sinker notches SN in the adjustment shown in Fig. 8. The sinker catch bar SCB in the form shown, lifts before slurring of the sinkers, thereafter advances to the position shown, and drops to capture the sinker butts SE for retraction, as indicated by the crossed double arrows, but any other catch bar arrangement suitable for the sinker control may be employed. The divider bar DB, in this illustrative embodiment, is entirely independent of the sinker catch. bar SCB, and has a to and fro motion as indicated by the double arrow.

The desired motions may be imparted to thesinker catch bar 8013 by any suitable means, one such means being diagrammatically shown in. Fig. 9, in which the sinker catch bar SCB is shown as reciprocated by a lever system H) pivoted. at l l and driven by a cam l2 carried by the main. shaft of the machine, and as raised and lowered by a second lever system H pivoted at l5 and driven by a second cam l6, similarly carried.

The independent motion of the divider bar DB may also be effected in any suitable way, and the mechanism for imparting this motion preferably includes means for adjusting the depth of advance of the divider notches DN in their stitch measuring position. One illustrative embodiment is shown in Fig. 10, in which the motion is imparted by a lever system ll, pivoted at I8 and driven by a cam I9 which may also be carried by the main shaft, and which in the form shown, has an adjusting block at that portion 20 controlling the stitch measuring position of the divider notch DN, and means for elevating or lowering the block 20, herein shown as consisting of a locking screw 2|.

A modified catch bar arrangement is shown in Fig. 11. In this arrangement the verge plate V' and the sinker latch means SLM are carried by the sinker catch bar SCB', as in my copending application Ser. No. 55,700, the latching slides SLM being biased by U-shaped wire springs WS.

The divider bar DB in this form is in all respects similar to that of Fig. 8. With this arrangement the sinker catch bar is raised, to free the sinkers for slurring, advanced to stitch measuring position and lowered, the slurred sinkers being captured and positioned by it. The relative misalignment of sinker and divider notches may thus be determined by varying slightly the position of the verge plate V in stitch measuring position as well as by varying the advance imparted to the dividers at stitch measuring position. In such case the stitch measuring position of each catch bar may be adjusted in any suitable way, as by adjusting means such as that shown in Fig. 10, for example.

It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments herein described are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims. All modifications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be included therein.

I claim:

1. In the knitting of stockings and the like with Cotton-type machines using set retaining yarns, the method of producing uniformity of appearance between the sinker and divider loops of the finished fabric which consists in moving the sinkers to their stitch measuring position, advancing the dividers to a stitch measuring position independent of and misaligned with that of the sinkers, and adjusting the advance imparted to the dividers relative to the stitch measuring position of the sinkers to vary said misalignment until a substantially uniform appearance is obtained with the particular yarnoeing knitted.

2. In the knitting of stockings and the like with Cotton-type machines using set retaining yarns, the method of controlling the relative appearance of sinker and divider loops in the finished fabric which consists in moving the sinkers to their stitch measuring position, advancing the dividers to a stitch measuring position independent of and misaligned with that of the sinkers, and adjusting the advance imparted to the dividers relative to the stitch measuring position of the sinkers to vary said misalignment and thus control the relative appearance of the sinker and divider loops.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the advance imparted to the dividers is adjusted to align their yarn notches at an adjusted depth greater than that of the sinker yarn notches.

4. A method according to claim 2 in which the advance imparted to the dividers is adjusted to align their yarn notches at an adjusted depth less than that of the sinker yarn notches.

5. A knitting machine having independently advanceable and independently retractable sinkers and dividers, said sinkers and dividers having yarn notches, means for holding said sinkers advanced to align their yarn notches in one stitch measuring position, and separate means for holding the dividers advanced to align their yarn notches in a second stitch measuring position not coinciding with that of the sinker notches, at least one of said holding and aligning means being adjustable relative to the other for varying the relative positions of alignment of said sinker and divider notches.

6. A knitting machine having sinkers and dividers, said sinkers and dividers having yarn notches, means for advancing said sinkers to align their yarn notches in one stitch measuring position, means for advancing the dividers to align their yarn notches in a second stitch measuring position not coinciding with that of the sinker notches, and means under control of the operator for varying the travel of said divider advancing means to adjust the position of yarn notch alignment of said dividers relative to that of said sinkers.

'7. A knitting machine according to claim 6, said divider advancing means comprising a divider catch bar and cam means for advancing said catch bar to advance said dividers to stitch measuring position, and said means under control of the operator comprising an adjustable portion of said cam means.

8. A knitting machine having sinkers and dividers, a sinker catch bar, a divider catch bar operable independently of said sinker catch bar, means for advancing said sinkers and aligning their yarn notches in their stitch measuring position, means for advancing said divider catch bar to align the yarn notches of the dividers in their stitch measuring position, and means under control of the operator for adjusting the divider catch bar advancing means to vary the relative alignment of said sinker and divider yarn notches for adjusting the relative appear ance of the sinker and divider loops of the fabric being knit.

9. A knitting machine having sinkers and dividers, said machine comprising a sinker catch bar for retracting the sinkers, a sinker verge plate for locating the yarn notches of the sinkers in a stitch measuring position of alignment, and means separate from said sinker catch bar for advancing and retracting said dividers, said last named means, in stitch measuring positions, locating the yarn notches of the dividers in a second position of alignment, and said last named means comprising adjusting means for varying the depth of said second position of alignment relative to that of said sinker notches.

10. A knitting machine having sinkers and dividers for dividing the yarn, separate catch bars for said sinkers and dividers, said catch bars independently controlling the stitch measuring positions of the sinkers and dividers respectively, and means controllable by the operator for adjusting the relative positions of the two catch bars in the stitch measuring positions thereof to vary the division of yarn between said sinkers and dividers.

11. A knitting machine having sinkers and dividers, separate catch bars for said sinkers and dividers, a verge plate for said sinkers carried by said sinker catch bar, said verge plate and said divider catch bar controlling, respectively, the stitch measuring positions of the sinkers and dividers, and means under control of the operator for adjusting the relative positions of the two catch bars in the stitch measuring positions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,140,936 Luhn Dec. 20, 1938 2,222,161 Weisbecker Nov. 19, 1946 2,266,135 Weisbecker Dec. 16, 1941 2,436,171 Howie Feb. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 133,557 Great Britain Oct. 16, 1919 632,085 Germany July 3, 1936 

